Politics & Government

Long Beach Vons Closes Self-Checkout Lanes After City Passes New Law

"It's no secret that the grocery industry broadened self-checkout to trim staff, to try to make fewer workers do more," said Derek Smith.

(KCAL News, CBS Los Angeles)

September 25, 2025

Four Vons locations in Long Beach have closed their self-checkout lanes after the city passed a new law aimed at curbing theft at local grocery and drug stores.

Find out what's happening in Long Beachfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Under the "Safe Stores are Staffed Stores" ordinance, stores must have one employee for every three self-checkout lanes. Additionally, customers can only pay for up to 15 items, and items that require ID verification or removal of theft-prevention measures cannot be processed through the self-serve stations.

Long Beach Councilwoman Tunua Thrash-Ntuk said leaders aimed to provide a work environment where employees feel like they have "the ability to protect themselves," especially against people "looking to steal" or attempting to harass an employee.

Find out what's happening in Long Beachfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

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